Preview: Alfred Brendel

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Yes, it’s true, legendary pianist Alfred Brendel announced in November that he would “stop” playing publicly after a final performance next December in Vienna. And despite his wishes that this not be considered a “farewell” tour, the Chicago Symphony publicity machine has sent out a “final Chicago appearance” press release to generate the kind of maudlin interest that the introspective Brendel had wanted to avoid. So, tickets should be scarce for this recital appearance, but don’t believe a word of it: this is like Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali announcing a retirement at the height of their powers. Vladimir Horowitz “retired” for a dozen years and came back and played better than ever into his mid-80s, but at 77, such a long Brendel break is unlikely. But this does indicate how much we have come to take Brendel for granted over a career that has now lasted six decades, and how much his annual spring Chicago recital—a virtual pilgrimage for piano lovers for decades—will be deeply missed, even if only for a time. This program includes Haydn’s Variations in F Minor, two pieces by Mozart—the Sonata in F Major (K. 533), and the Rondo (K. 494) along with Schubert’s final piano sonata, a favorite of Brendel’s, the Sonata in B-flat Major (D. 960) and Beethoven’s Sonata in E-flat Major, “Qausi una fantasia,” and of course, a compulsory set of encores. (Dennis Polkow)
Sunday, March 9 at Symphony Center